John Kerry praises Australia for military pledge on Iraq

New York: Addressing the United Nations Security Council, US Secretary of State John Kerry has singled out Australia for thanks for its commitment of forces to combat Islamic State militants in Iraq.

"We are particularly appreciative of the extent of Australia's commitment from obviously so far away – it is very meaningful and important and we thank you for you leadership," he said during the meeting on Friday, also attended by Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council: US Secretary of State John Kerry. Photo: AFP

Speaking after the meeting at the United Nations' New York headquarters, Ms Bishop said Australian special forces and fighter aircraft were being forward deployed into the United Arab Emirates in preparation for any combat missions but that no strikes would be undertaken until the national security committee of cabinet had considered requests from the Iraqi government.

She said Australian special forces were being deployed to assist and advise Iraqi forces and would be embedded in headquarters should there be a request for their assistance. Any strikes would be co-ordinated by the US.

Asked how long Australia was prepared to engage given that the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff has suggested it could take up to a decade to defeat Islamic State, Ms Bishop would not give a time frame.

When the UN General Assembly meets next week, it is believed leaders of those nations offering military forces will meet with President Barack Obama and the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to plan how international forces will be used in combat.

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Mr Obama will address the General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Ms Bishop said no specific requests had yet been made of Australia, rather the US had asked Australia to provide a list of equipment and personnel it would be willing to offer. During the Security Council meeting, Ms Bishop said Australia was prepared to offer strike, early-warning and air-to-air refuelling aircraft and a Special Forces Task Group to advise and assist the Iraqi security forces.

Committed: France's Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius (left) talks with John Kerry. France has flown its first sortie against Islamic State targets in Iraq. Photo: AP

"The coalition required to eliminate ISIL is not only, or even primarily, military in nature," he said. "It must be comprehensive and include close collaboration across multiple lines of effort. It's about taking out an entire network – decimating and discrediting a militant cult masquerading as a religious movement.

"The fact is there is a role for nearly every country in the world to play, including Iran, whose foreign minister is here with us here today."

Last week, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said he had rejected overtures from the US for co-operation, the BBC reported.

"I saw no point in co-operating with a country whose hands are dirty and intentions murky," Ayatollah Khamenei was quoted as saying by state news agency Irna.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Kerry emphasised that not only had Australia committed to deploying fighter aircraft but that French fighters had already flown sorties while the Germans had overturned their policy against offering lethal aid.

He said dozens of countries had offered humanitarian aid and more were co-operating the development of a global action plan to counter terrorist financing.

French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius noted that the Security Council had once been divided of the US plans to invade Iraq but was united in supporting the Iraqi government in confronting Islamic State.

"We are facing throat-cutters," he said. "They rape, crucify and decapitate. They use cruelty as a means of propaganda. Their aim is to erase borders and to eradicate the rule of law and civil society."